Agreed

My network of Obama organizers is already planning trips to Gerogia, fundraisers and phonebanking. What Obama does will be up to him and his staff but I hope he lends Martin some help. At least a fundraising blast to the list.

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by: Populista @ Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 23:03:19 PM CST

unfortunately

Politico cited the Fowler-Coverdell race as a major setback for the beginning of Clinton's term. Nevertheless I think that the risk of a smattering of bad press is doubtlessly worth the chance of taking back Cleland's old seat. However it may smack of partisanship, Chambliss's utter repugnance should serve as an antidote.

As far that  is concerned, I hope the Martin camp widely publicizes this quote from McCain when he arrives in Georgia:

http://politicalwire.com/archi...

"I'd never seen anything like that ad. Putting pictures of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden next to the picture of a man who left three limbs on the battlefield -- it's worse than disgraceful. It's reprehensible."

It is difficult to get the news from poems, but men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there. --William Carlos Williams

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by: RichardPlatypus @ Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 23:04:39 PM CST

If Obama were heading into a second term

I'd probably agree with you, David, but Obama has to worry about his first impressions, and if Martin loses when it appears as though Obama was giving him a lot of help, it would embolden Republicans to pick fights on a lot of Obama's agenda.

Your go-to source for great sarcasm

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by: DGM @ Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 23:38:20 PM CST

Well

I don't think we really disagree! I think Obama needs to thread the needle here. He probably should NOT go down and stump like Clinton did, or McCain is doing. But an email blast? Sure.

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by: DavidNYC @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 00:08:25 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Heh, when you're right you're right

And you are definitely right here. Though I have to admit, it would be excellent to see old Saxby get what he deserves for those terrible smears he put against Max Cleland.

Your go-to source for great sarcasm

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by: DGM @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 00:27:53 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Obama could just show up in a nonpartisan way and it would

energize people.

He doesn't have to lambast or even mention Chambliss, just be present, perhaps to introduce some of his policy initiatives (and oh-so-casually mention that there's a great Senate candidate who shares his vision who incidentally is on the ballot next month!).

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by: verasoie @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 01:59:43 AM CST

That might work

Something no one is talking about is the fact that this runoff campaign is going through Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas season.  This race already had a reputation for being very negative.  Doing so during Thanksgiving could really backfire.  

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

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by: TheUnknown285 @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 06:47:52 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That Would Definitely Be Better

And Obama himself doesn't need to show up. I think an appearance by Bill or Hillary would be just as helpful. Bill seems to have regained some of that Clinton magic during the past few months, and I think it would be helpful to Martin to have him come down there.

Not sure if Joe Biden should make an appearance though, even though he's the VP-elect, since he tends to make statements not beneficial to himself or those he intends to help a lot.

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by: Don't Tase Me, Bro! @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 07:11:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Black turnout

One of the primary reasons for people wanting Obama to campaign for Martin is to keep black turnout up.  Perhaps Obama can record some ads targetted to African-Americans to be aired on BET, black-oriented radio stations, etc.

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

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by: TheUnknown285 @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 06:50:17 AM CST

I thought that...

Obama was sending his OH team to Georgia to help out Jim Martin, or am I thinking of something else?

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by: corran horn @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 08:01:38 AM CST

Send Michelle

So often during presidential primary season, a governor's wife endorses a candidate while the guv stays neutral (think it happened in IA this year, and has happened a lot in the past).  The guv always plays the lame "she endorses who she wants..." line each time and its all just silly, cuz you know the guv has played his hand.

Couldn't Michelle get down there and do the same thing?  She would certainly drive turnout up to some extent within the AA community.  And her presence really wouldn't hurt Obama if Martin loses...Michelle Obama has no political capital and little to lose really.

Add in Carter, Clinton's, etc.  And does John Lewis help drive turnout too???

Also, anyone know the rules on the runoff regarding early voting?  Just curious of what it is, since one would think by Thanksgiving all minds will have been made so maybe that eneds to play into the whole mini-campaign....

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by: rdw72777 @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 12:18:09 PM CST

Obama should help

I do not see the risks as all that great.  So what if he campaigns for Martin and Martin loses?  This is especially true if his involvement is somewhat limited as I suggest below.  The more important limitation, IMHO, is that Obama's first responsibility is to prepare for the transition.  So, I don't want him camped out in Georgia.

But, there are things he can and should do to help Martin:  email his supporters to encourage donations to Martin and their support; cut a radio and TV ad for Martin mainly geared to Black voters and to be run on radio and TV shows with large black viewers/listeners; and hold one rally for Martin near the date of the election.  Obama's main purpose is to energize and turn out the black vote.  Without that, Martin loses.  With it, he has a good chance.

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by: sicembears @ Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 14:31:18 PM CST